Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo State and chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, on Monday tsaid the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should not defend killer herdsmen if they are not its members.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Akeredolu described MACBAN’s defence of criminal herdsmen who carry out attacks as a major problem.

“When we have an issue of this nature and we have groups like the Miyetti Allah, they do not have to hurl themselves out to defend these people if they are not your members and you do not agree with what they are doing, there is no need to defend them,” he said.

“Let us treat them strictly as what they are: criminals. And get them out and you yourself should support us in getting them out.”

The governor, in response to comments by Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, about herdsmen carrying rifles to protect themselves, said the latter did not speak like a statesman and that such statements should be condemned.

“How will a governor in this country today say that people should be allowed to carry arms when it is illegal… Bala Mohammed has poured petrol into the fire. What he said is unexpected of him. Any stateman, any governor, should not speak that way.”

Akeredolu also joined other prominent politicians to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to show that he does not support criminality by speaking out.